Tag Archives: Dental Veneers

What Can I Do If I Chipped A Tooth?

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Many people encounter chipped teeth more often than you think. Most patients do not even realize they have chipped a tooth until someone points out the irregular shape. Suppose you are out with your loved one on your Valentine’s Day date and you are sipping your drink along with some ice, you bite down on the ice cube and all of a sudden, crack! You feel that crunch was a little harder than you thought, and out of your mouth comes a fragment of one of your teeth. The first thing to do is to remain calm and call your dentist if possible. Fortunately, there are a few solutions to help resolve this issue. Today we will share with you some of the treatments available for your chipped tooth.

Crown and Bridge

The type of treatment your dentist uses for repair depends on the severity of damage caused from the accident. A crown and bridge is one of the treatments recommend for larger chips or broken teeth with extensive decay. The dentist will prepare your teeth by removing any remaining fragments and shaping the remainder of the tooth to receive the crown.

Dental Veneers

In the event that the chipped tooth occurred in the front teeth, most dentists prefer to use dental veneers. These devices are made of porcelain and they are bonded to the damaged tooth. It usually will cover the entire front portion of the tooth and will blend in well with your natural teeth.

Root Canal

For a cracked tooth patients may need to undergo a root canal, because this damaged the whole surface of the tooth all the way down to the nerve. In some instances, the cracked pieces remain in place but the crack gradually spreads. Cracks can be repaired with simple composite fillings, but if the damage disrupts the nerve tissue the patient may also need a root canal.

If you are not able to see a dentist right away, be sure to schedule an appointment for treatment at your earliest convenience to avoid chronic pain or more cracking. In the meantime here is what you can do to treat the site of the chipped tooth:

  • Rinse your mouth with salt water or mouthwash occasionally to keep area clean

  • Cover the crack with paraffin wax to avoid cutting your mouth

  • Chew only soft foods in other areas of the mouth

Always be aware of what you are eating or chewing on. If you chipped a tooth, at Eastlake Dentistry, Dr. Tin and her staff have a variety of solutions to correct your smile. Call now to schedule an appointment to have the professionals repair the damage, no matter how big or how small.

Three Reasons to Start the New Year with Dental Veneers

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Making a change in the new year is simple. We can make better choices for our diet, exercise more, get better sleep and stay on top of our dental hygiene. We can maintain healthy habits all we want, but having a chipped tooth or fracture makes an impact on our smile. Especially when your job requires you to respond with a positive attitude you want your smile looking youthful and healthy. Though most of you are still skeptical to realize why you need the help of a cosmetic dentist, so today we will discuss the top reasons why you need dental veneers for the new year.

Dental Veneers are custom shells of porcelain or plastic that cover the front sides of teeth to improve the shape and appearance of original tooth. Veneers help decrease the spaces in between teeth, replace the unflattering sight of chipped or permanently stained teeth or crooked appearance. If this sounds like you and you are still unsure why you should get veneers then here are a few reasons why you should consider them:

Porcelain is Stain Resistant

The cosmetic dentist can help determine the shade of color desired to match the shade of natural teeth. Veneers are made with glass-like material which means certain substances which cause staining are sealed off from causing unwanted stains. Maintenance of veneer appearance is simple, which requires similar care of brushing, flossing and other hygiene habits recommended by your dentist.

Appears Natural

Great cosmetic work will make a patient’s smile appear natural. Bonding material used for veneers has a solid color, and porcelain is translucent, so it mimics the enamel layer much better than other materials or stained teeth.

Repairs Damaged Teeth

For teeth that resist whitening or have dental flaws from injury and damage, natural teeth can be covered up to appear repaired. Capping damaged teeth with veneers can prevent further damage to natural teeth and with regular maintenance, veneer damage can be avoided.

There are a number of reasons why veneers can improve your smile. If you feel your damaged or stained teeth result in a lack of confidence in your professional or social settings then it is time to consider dental veneers. Your new smile will be long-lasting and damage-free. Schedule an appointment with for San Diego veneers with our cosmetic dentist, we will help you explore the options for a youthful and natural smile.